The Optique Frame Guide

Frames for
Your Face Shape

The right frame doesn't just flatter. It reveals. A guide to finding the pair that feels like it was made for you.

At a Glance The principle is simple: contrast your face shape with its opposite. Soft, round faces are elevated by angular frames. Strong, angular faces are softened by curves. From there? Pure personal style.

Why it matters

Have You Thought About
Your Face Shape?

Before you begin

How to Find
Your Face Shape

No measuring tape required. Just a mirror, good light, and two minutes. Pull your hair back completely so your face is unobstructed.

01
Look straight ahead
Face a well-lit mirror directly. Relax your jaw. Trace the outline of your face with your finger or a dry-erase marker on the glass.
02
Find your widest points
Note the width of your forehead, your cheekbones, and your jawline. Which is widest? Which tapers? This reveals your shape.
03
Note the jawline
Is it angular and defined, or soft and rounded? Does your chin come to a point, or is it flat and broad?
04
Compare below
Match your observations to the shapes below. Most people sit between two shapes, and that's perfectly normal and actually gives you more options.
Oval face shape illustration

Face Shape No. 01

Oval

Balanced proportions. The most versatile canvas.

An oval face is gently elongated with soft, balanced proportions, slightly wider at the cheekbones, gradually tapering at both forehead and jaw. No sharp angles, no extremes. Consider yourself fortunate: nearly every frame silhouette will work on you.

The opportunity with an oval face is to express personality without concern for correction. Go bold. Go architectural. Go unconventional.

Wear these
  • Bold geometric shapes
  • Wide rectangular frames
  • Oversized acetate
  • Classic aviators
  • Strong browline styles
  • Architectural cat-eye
Avoid
  • Very narrow frames
  • Frames too small for the face
  • Heavy top-heaviness without balance
Linda's Recommendation With an oval face, we love the Sabine Be collection. The architectural French lines feel editorial without being precious.
Round face shape illustration

Face Shape No. 02

Round

Soft curves. Effortlessly youthful.

Round faces have similar width and height measurements, with soft, curved lines and full cheeks. The forehead and jaw are of similar width, meeting in gentle curves rather than angles.

The goal: introduce angles and visual length. Angular frames create beautiful contrast. They don't fight the face, they complete it.

Wear these
  • Sharp rectangular frames
  • Square silhouettes
  • Browline (Clubmaster) styles
  • Geometric cat-eye
  • Wide frames that extend beyond the face
  • High-temple designs
Avoid
  • Small round frames
  • Circular shapes
  • Frames narrower than the face
Linda's Recommendation Blackfin's titanium rectangular styles work beautifully on round faces. The horizontal emphasis is elongating, and the weight is virtually nothing on your face.
Square face shape illustration

Face Shape No. 03

Square

Strong jaw. Defined angles. Natural authority.

Square faces feature a broad forehead and wide, angular jaw with similar measurements at forehead, cheekbone, and chin. The jawline is clearly defined, a strong feature in itself that simply asks to be balanced.

The goal: introduce curves to complement the angles. Round and oval frames don't hide the jaw. They create a harmonious dialogue with it.

Wear these
  • Round or oval frames
  • Thin, lightweight metal
  • Rimless designs
  • Soft geometric shapes
  • Frames wider than the jaw
  • Curved browlines
Avoid
  • Heavy rectangular frames
  • Boxy square shapes
  • Angular geometric extremes
Linda's Recommendation A round titanium frame with a thin profile, or a delicate oval acetate, transforms a square face into something genuinely striking. Understated, but unforgettable.
Heart face shape illustration

Face Shape No. 04

Heart

Wider forehead. Delicate chin. Naturally sculpted.

Heart-shaped faces are wider at the forehead and temples, tapering gracefully to a narrower chin. Often accompanied by high, pronounced cheekbones. The face naturally draws attention upward, so your frames should balance the equation.

The goal: draw visual weight downward. Frames that are lighter at the top or wider at the bottom create a beautiful equilibrium.

Wear these
  • Round or oval frames
  • Rimless or semi-rimless
  • Light-colored acetate
  • Thin metal frames
  • Subtle cat-eye (low-set)
  • Frames wider at the bottom
Avoid
  • Heavy, top-heavy frames
  • Thick dark upper frames
  • Frames that exaggerate forehead width
Linda's Recommendation A delicate rimless oval or a soft metal butterfly shape feels utterly effortless on a heart-shaped face. The face does all the work, and the frame simply accompanies.
Diamond face shape illustration

Face Shape No. 05

Diamond

Defined cheekbones. The rarest, most striking shape.

Diamond faces have narrow foreheads and chins with wide, prominent cheekbones, the widest point of the face. Angular and striking, this is considered the rarest face shape. Frames should highlight your cheekbones rather than compete with them.

The goal: broaden the forehead and soften the chin. Frames with detail at the brow or a wider top create beautiful balance.

Wear these
  • Oval frames
  • Cat-eye (to widen brow area)
  • Browline / semi-rimless
  • Rimless designs
  • Frames with brow detailing
  • Wide-set temples
Avoid
  • Narrow frames
  • Frames emphasizing cheek width
  • Very small lenses
Linda's Recommendation A chic cat-eye naturally aligns with the upward curve of your cheekbones. It doesn't just fit the face. It completes it. We have several spectacular options to show you.
Oblong face shape illustration

Face Shape No. 06

Oblong

Long and narrow. Elegant proportions.

Oblong (also called rectangular) faces are longer than they are wide, with relatively uniform width from forehead to jaw. The face is elegant and refined, but benefits from frames that add visual width and break the vertical line.

The goal: add width and visual height. Tall lenses, strong horizontal emphasis, and decorative details at the temples all shorten and balance the face beautifully.

Wear these
  • Large, wide frames
  • Deep lens height (tall lenses)
  • Strong horizontal browlines
  • Decorative temples
  • Oversized square or round
  • Bold, statement frames
Avoid
  • Small or narrow frames
  • Shallow lens depth
  • Very elongated shapes
Linda's Recommendation Wide, deep-set acetate frames with strong visual presence are remarkable on oblong faces. This is the face shape that can carry the most dramatic statement pieces.

Frame Styles Reference

Frame
Silhouettes

A visual glossary of the frame shapes referenced throughout this guide.

Rectangular eyeglass frames
Rectangular
Horizontal, structured. Adds length.
Round and oval eyeglass frames
Round / Oval
Soft curves. Softens angles.
Cat-eye eyeglass frames
Cat-Eye
Upswept corners. Lifts the face.
Browline eyeglass frames
Browline
Strong top. Bold horizontal line.
Rimless eyeglass frames
Rimless
No frame. Pure minimalism.
Geometric eyeglass frames
Geometric
Angular shapes. Architectural edge.
Aviator eyeglass frames
Aviator
Teardrop lenses. Classic and versatile.

A Note from Linda

Rules Are a
Starting Point

Face shape guidelines are useful, but they're the beginning of the conversation, not the end. I've seen "wrong" frames transform someone. I've seen "correct" frames feel completely lifeless on a face.

What the guidelines don't capture: your coloring, your bone structure, your personality, the way you carry yourself, the way you dress. Frames are the final accessory, and they should express something true about you.

Confidence is the only rule that actually holds. The best pair is the one you put on and don't want to take off.

Visit Us in Holladay

In Person Is Where
The Magic Happens

No appointment needed. Come try frames, ask questions, and let us help you find the pair that feels right. Our shop is calm, unhurried, and entirely focused on you.

Book a Visit Browse Our Brands

Need a fitting? Complimentary adjustments on any frame.

Common Questions

FAQ

How do I find my face shape for glasses?
Pull your hair back and look straight into a well-lit mirror. Trace the outline of your face with a finger or dry-erase marker and compare your widest points: forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. If all measurements are similar, you likely have a square or round face. If your forehead is widest with a tapering jaw, that's a heart shape. If the cheekbones are the widest point with a narrow forehead and chin, you have a diamond shape. Most people fall between two shapes, which simply gives you more options.
What if I'm between two face shapes?
That's the most common situation. Rather than restricting yourself to one category, consider it an advantage: you have a wider range of frames that will work. Read the recommendations for both shapes and look for overlap. Those styles are your sweet spot.
Do face shape rules apply to sunglasses too?
The same principles apply. Oval faces can wear almost anything, round faces benefit from angular shapes, square faces from curved ones, and so on. Sunglasses give you more freedom to be dramatic, since they're purely an accessory. We'd say: use the same guidelines as a starting point, then push a little further toward what you love.
Does frame color matter for my face shape?
Frame shape is the primary factor, but color plays a supporting role. Dark, heavy frames add visual weight and structure, great for softening round faces or complementing angular ones. Light-colored or translucent frames recede into the face, which works beautifully for heart shapes or those who want their features to take center stage. Warm tones (tortoise, gold, copper) generally suit warm skin tones; cool tones (silver, black, clear blue) suit cool undertones.
Can I try on frames in person at Optique?
Absolutely. Optique Eyewear is located in Holladay, Utah. No appointment is required. Come in and Linda, our lead optician, will guide you through our curated collection of luxury frames. We carry Sabine Be, Blackfin, and other independent brands you won't find elsewhere in Salt Lake City. The experience is quiet, unhurried, and entirely focused on you.
What are the best glasses for an oval face?
Oval faces can wear nearly any frame style. We recommend bold geometric shapes, oversized rectangular styles, classic aviators, and anything with visual character. The only frames to approach with caution are those that are very narrow or very small relative to your face, which can make the face appear longer.